New Smyrna Beach Upholds Vote Count

April 3, 1986

NEW SMYRNA BEACH — There was no error in tabulating votes in the March 25 election in which incumbent Guy Williams defeated the Rev. James A. Jenkins by 95 votes.

City commissioners, sitting as the board of elections, were aided Wednesday by Volusia County Election Supervisor Katherine Odham in reviewing a previously sealed mechanical vote count printout from election machines.

It corresponded with the two election reports that were opened and canvassed the day of the election. Commissioners also recounted absentee ballots and determined the total vote count of 1,548 for Williams and 1,453 for Jenkins was correct.

Jenkins said he filed the protest after a person monitoring the count at the Mary Avenue Fire Station had listed a higher number of votes cast for him than the number listed on the reports. After the recount, he said he was satisfied that the results were valid.